House members pledge support for immigration reform

Published 6:26 pm, Monday, August 19, 2013

Here's something unusual; after a recent three-day advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., I left our nation's Capitol more optimistic than when I arrived. That is only rarely the case.

The optimism flows from - surprisingly - a contentious issue in the Republican-controlled House: immigration reform.

The reason for optimism? After meeting with 33 House Republicans and 25 House Democrats, I am convinced that key leaders and rank-and-file members on both sides of the aisle are committed to meaningful, comprehensive reform this year. Our group was buoyed by strong pledges of support from solid California conservative Republican Reps. Jeff Denham of Turlock, Devin Nunes of Tulare and David Valadao of Hanford.

But there is much work to do during this August recess, and on into the fall, to ensure the president gets an immigration reform bill he can sign before the end of the year. And it will take increased involvement by companies, businesses, organizations, workers and others to get the job done.

The word "comprehensive" is critical to this push. Immigrants of all skill levels are key drivers of two major California economic engines - technology and agriculture. Immigration reform is needed for high-skilled, low-skilled and no-skill immigrant workers. While some argue for new rules only for those with tech skills, and some only for those with agricultural skills, the fact is we need both. Reform should include visas for entrepreneurs and advanced science, technology, math and engineering degrees, along with a family reunification route for citizens and green-card holders. The questions around border security and undocumented workers need to be resolved through compromise.

Here are two ways you, companies and organizations can help:

Contact House members now: It's full-court press time because House members are back in their districts. Everyone who cares about comprehensive immigration reform should be making his or her voice known. Engage friends and family in other areas of the country to write, e-mail, call or visit. My organization, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, has nearly 400 member companies, which have offices or facilities in all 50 states and almost all 435 congressional districts. While Congress is in recess, we are asking our members, often in partnership with FWD.us, a pro-immigration group founded by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, and others, to make direct contact with members of Congress. House members need to hear your voice.

Create strategic comprehensive partnerships: Leading business and technology associations are speaking with one voice. It's time for them to join with organizations representing other industries, such as agriculture. We are much more powerful together than we could ever be individually. We've partnered with the Consumer Electronics Association, Business Roundtable, FWD.us, Information Technology Industry Council, Semiconductor Industry Association, Tech America, TechNet and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Our meetings in Washington included partnerships with the California Strawberry Commission as well as the nationwide nonprofit, Bibles, Badges and Businesses, which represents faith groups, law enforcement and business. These alliances sent a powerful message around the Capitol and beyond. If your group or association is headed to Capitol Hill in the next few months (and many will be), consider new partnerships and alliances.

For more than a dozen years, the Leadership Group has gone to Washington to push for immigration reform, only to see those hopes dashed on the partisan shores of the Potomac.

This month it was different. We heard many voices for compromise during our visit to the House. Together we can advance what we know is for the country's good. It is why I am optimistic that Congress will pass meaningful immigration reform.

Carl Guardino is the president and CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group.

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